A notification concerning the stocking density of broilers

If you are planning to keep broilers in a stocking density rate that exceeds 33 kg/m2, follow these steps:

1. Create or commission a description of the production system (hall pass) for the farm, including the essential information concerning the production systems in each production unit.
2. Provide the necessary information using the online service (available in Finnish and Swedish). Include details about the stocking density and essential production systems of the farm.

Details of the production systems include:

• floor plan of the building
• size of the area used for keeping broilers
• type of floor material
• commonly used types of deep litter
• details about the ventilation and heating systems as well as technical inspections performed on these
• details about the animal feeders and drinkers and their locations
• the early-warning systems for the automated and mechanical equipment that are essential for the welfare of the broilers, as well as their backup systems
• details about the technical inspections performed on the warning systems.

3. Use the online service and submit the form and description of the production system (hall pass) to the registry of the regional state administrative agency in whose area your farm is located by no later than 15 days before the first flock enters the farm.

If you are planning on raising the stocking density rate to over 39 kg/m2, follow these steps:

1. If the farm has not been inspected for animal welfare in the last two years, prepare to be inspected before increasing the stocking density.
2. Check that your description of the production system (hall pass) is up to date.
3. Submit the form and description of the production system (hall pass) electronically to the registry of the regional state administrative agency in whose area your farm is located by no later than 15 days before the first flock enters the farm.

If you are making changes to the production systems of the farm which may affect the welfare of the broilers, please notify the regional state administrative agency without delay (for example, changes in ventilation or heating). Use the online service when submitting the notification.

If the stocking density rate of broilers is over 33 kg/m2, the ventilation system of the farm must meet the following requirements:

1. the ammonia level (NH3) must be no more than 20 ppm and the carbon-dioxide level (CO2) no more than 3,000 ppm when measured at the level of the heads of the broilers
2. the inside temperature must not be more than 3°C higher than the outdoor temperature, when the outdoor temperature is over 30°C in the shade
3. the average relative humidity in the farming facility must not be over 70 per cent within 48 hours, when the outdoor temperature is below 10°C.

Additionally, the poultry farm must have a backup system for electricity that guarantees the functionality of the mechanical ventilation during power failures.

If you intend to increase the stocking density to more than 39 kg/m2 (but not more than 42 kg/m2), the additional requirements are as follows:

1. There have been no breaches of animal welfare legislation during the preceding two years of animal welfare inspections.

• If the farm has not been inspected in the last two years, at least one inspection must be made before the stocking density rate can be raised. You can request an inspection from the regional state administrative agency.

2. The average cumulative daily mortality rate of seven consecutive flocks is below 1 percentage calculated with the formula 1+0.06 × t (t being the number of days during which broilers of the flock in question were present in the farming facility).

3.The farm follows a manual of good practices that includes at least the following details about the broilers:

• legislation concerning welfare
• physiology and behaviour
• care
• handling and capture
• loading and transportation
• slaughter
• preventive measures against diseases.